Are Autopsy Reports Public in Illinois? (2026 Guide)
Illinois autopsy reports are not fully public records. They are released mainly to next of kin and attorneys, and held while a case is open. Here is how to request one.
5 min read
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Illinois Laws
61 articles
BIPA Compliance for Employers (2026): Step-by-Step
BIPA compliance for employers using fingerprint or face-scan timeclocks: the seven Section 15 steps, plus a free self-check tool. Avoid the most common violations.
2 min read
BIPA Damages: What a Violation Is Worth (2026)
BIPA damages explained: the $1,000 and $5,000 statutory amounts, why the 2024 amendment ended per-scan math, and what people actually receive in settlements.
3 min read
BIPA Explained: Illinois Biometric Privacy Act (740 ILCS 14)
BIPA, the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (740 ILCS 14), explained: consent rules, the $1,000 to $5,000 penalties, key cases, and the 2024 amendment.
5 min read
BIPA Statute of Limitations: The 5-Year Deadline (2026)
The BIPA statute of limitations is five years for all claims, settled by Tims v. Black Horse Carriers (2023). How the deadline works and when the clock starts.
2 min read
Common Law Marriage in Illinois: Is It Recognized? (2026)
Illinois abolished common law marriage after June 30, 1905, under 750 ILCS 5/214. Illinois recognizes valid out-of-state common law marriages via comity.
8 min read
Do You Have a BIPA Claim? Check Your Eligibility (2026)
Do you have a BIPA claim? Use our free checker. You may qualify if a private company in Illinois scanned your fingerprint or face without written consent.
2 min read
How Long Is a Life Sentence in Illinois? (2026 Guide)
Complete guide to life sentences in Illinois: parole eligibility, LWOP rules, notable cases, recent legislative changes, and sentencing statutes. Updated March 2026.
12 min read
How to Find a Cause of Death in Illinois (2026)
How to find someone's cause of death in Illinois: where it's recorded, whether it's public, who can access the death certificate, and the coroner's role.
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How to Get an Illinois Death Certificate (2026)
Get an Illinois death certificate from the IDPH Division of Vital Records or county clerk. The first certified copy is $19, each additional copy $4.
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Illinois AI Laws and Regulation (2026)
Guide to Illinois AI laws including HB 3773, which amends the Human Rights Act to address AI discrimination in employment.
11 min read
Illinois AI Meeting Recording Laws (2026)
Illinois has double exposure for AI recorders: eavesdropping law AND BIPA biometric privacy. Up to $5,000 per BIPA violation.
13 min read
Illinois At-Will Employment Laws: Exceptions and Your Rights
Illinois is an at-will state, but retaliatory-discharge torts, implied-contract handbooks, and a constitutional ban on right-to-work laws create major exceptions.
7 min read
Illinois Audio Recording Laws: All-Party Consent Rules and Penalties (2026)
Illinois audio recording laws require all-party consent for private conversations under 720 ILCS 5/14-2. Learn the rules, penalties, exceptions, and how to record legally.
12 min read
Illinois Background Check Laws (2026 Guide)
Complete guide to Illinois background check laws covering Ban the Box, Clean Slate Act, IHRA conviction record protections, the 7-year lookback rule, and employer obligations.
14 min read
Illinois Biometric Privacy Laws: Collection, Consent & Penalties (2026)
Illinois BIPA (740 ILCS 14) requires written consent before collecting fingerprints, face scans, or other biometrics. Violations carry $1,000-$5,000 in damages per violation.
9 min read
Illinois Car Accident Laws: Fault, Insurance, and Your Claim
Illinois is an at-fault state with modified comparative negligence (51% bar). Learn the 25/50/20 insurance minimums, 2-year lawsuit deadline, and UM/UIM rules.
7 min read
Illinois Car Seat Laws: Requirements and Guidelines
Illinois car seat laws require children under 8 to use approved child restraints. Learn rear-facing, forward-facing, booster, and seat belt rules plus fines.
8 min read
Illinois Child Custody Laws (2026): Allocation of Parental Responsibilities and Your Rights
Illinois uses 'allocation of parental responsibilities' and 'parenting time' instead of custody. Learn how courts decide best interests, the 2-year modification bar, and relocation rules.
7 min read
Illinois Child Support Laws (2026): Guidelines & Calculator
Illinois uses the Income Shares Model under 750 ILCS 5/505. Learn how guidelines work, shared parenting adjustments, modification rules, and college expenses.
10 min read
Illinois Dashcam Laws: Audio Rules, Placement, and Legal Use (2026)
Illinois dashcam laws allow video-only dashcams but restrict audio recording of private conversations. Learn placement rules, police interaction guidelines, and evidence use.
8 min read
Illinois Data Breach Notification Laws: Reporting Rules & Timelines (2026)
Learn Illinois data breach notification rules under 815 ILCS 530, including reporting timelines, AG notification thresholds, encryption safe harbor, and penalties.
9 min read
Illinois Data Privacy Laws: BIPA, Consumer Rights & Penalties (2026)
Illinois leads the nation in biometric privacy through BIPA, with penalties up to $5,000 per violation. Learn about BIPA settlements, data breach rules, and employee protections.
19 min read
Illinois Death Records: Are They Public + How to Get One
Illinois is a closed-record state: certified death certificates go only to people with a personal, property, or genealogical interest. Records open after 20 years.
5 min read
Illinois Deepfake Laws: AI Images, Voice Cloning & Penalties (2026)
Illinois has enacted some of the strongest deepfake laws in the nation. Learn about 720 ILCS 5/11-23.7, 765 ILCS 1075 (HB 4875), BIPA, and federal law for victims.
9 min read
Illinois Defamation Laws: Libel, Slander & Suing (2026)
Illinois defamation laws explained: a strict 1-year statute of limitations (735 ILCS 5/13-201), the Citizen Participation Act anti-SLAPP, and per se rules.
7 min read
Illinois Divorce Laws (2026): Grounds, Residency, and Process
Illinois is no-fault only since 2016. Learn the irreconcilable-differences ground, 90-day residency rule, 6-month separation presumption, and equitable distribution rules.
6 min read
Illinois Dog Bite Laws: Liability and Victim Rights
Learn Illinois dog bite laws under 510 ILCS 5/16: strict liability rules, the 2-year statute of limitations, dangerous dog penalties, and victim rights.
10 min read
Illinois Emancipation Laws: How to Get Emancipated in Illinois (2026)
Illinois emancipation law explained: 750 ILCS 30 petition process for mature minors aged 16-17, partial vs. complete emancipation, no-objection rule, marriage and military routes, and effects on child support and FAFSA.
9 min read
Illinois Expungement Laws: Eligibility, Sealing, and How to File (2026)
Illinois distinguishes expungement from sealing under 20 ILCS 2630/5.2. Learn who qualifies, waiting periods, excluded offenses (DUI is ineligible), and how to petition the circuit court.
7 min read
Illinois GPS Tracking Laws: Is It Legal to Put a Tracker on a Car? (2026)
Is it legal to put a GPS tracker on a car in Illinois? 720 ILCS 5/21-2.5 explained: owner consent rules, employer tracking, AirTag stalking, and penalties.
8 min read
Illinois Hit and Run Laws: Penalties and What to Do
Learn Illinois hit and run laws, penalties by offense level, reporting deadlines, and your legal duties after an accident under 625 ILCS 5/11-401 through 11-404.
11 min read
Illinois Landlord-Tenant Laws (2026): Deposits, Notice, and Tenant Rights
Illinois security deposit rules, return deadlines, notice to enter, habitability rights, and rent control preemption explained for 2026.
7 min read
Illinois Landlord-Tenant Recording Laws: Camera Rules and Privacy Rights (2026)
Illinois landlord-tenant recording laws govern security cameras, audio surveillance, and privacy rights in rental properties. Learn placement rules and legal limits.
8 min read
Illinois Laws on Recording in Public: What You Can and Cannot Record (2026)
Illinois public recording laws allow recording conversations without consent when no privacy expectation exists. Learn the rules for streets, events, and government meetings.
8 min read
Illinois Laws on Recording Police: Your Rights and Protections (2026)
Illinois law explicitly allows recording police officers performing public duties. Learn your rights, legal protections, body camera rules, and what to do if stopped.
9 min read
Illinois Lemon Law (2026): How to Qualify and Get a Refund
Illinois lemon law (815 ILCS 380) gives you a refund or replacement after 4 failed repairs or 30 days out of service within 12 months/12,000 miles.
12 min read
Illinois Maintenance (Alimony) Laws: The Formula Explained (2026)
Illinois calls spousal support "maintenance." A statutory formula under 750 ILCS 5/504 sets amount (33.3% payer net minus 25% recipient net, capped at 40% combined) and duration (marriage years x multiplier) when combined income is under $500,000.
9 min read
Illinois Medical Recording Laws: Patient Rights, HIPAA, and Consent Rules (2026)
Illinois medical recording laws govern patient recordings of doctor visits, hospital surveillance, and HIPAA compliance. Learn consent rules and legal protections.
9 min read
Illinois Medical Records Retention Laws (2026 Guide)
Illinois medical records retention laws: how long hospitals and doctors keep your records, HIPAA rules, and patient rights.
13 min read
Illinois Phone Call Recording Laws: All-Party Consent Rules (2026)
Illinois phone call recording laws require all-party consent under 720 ILCS 5/14-2. Learn rules for business calls, interstate calls, and recording apps.
9 min read
Illinois Power of Attorney Laws: Durable, Medical, and Financial POA (2026)
Illinois Power of Attorney Act (755 ILCS 45): property POA requires one witness and notarization; health care POA covered in Article IV. Both types explained with execution rules, agent duties, and revocation.
9 min read
Illinois Recording Laws (2026): All-Party Consent Rules
Illinois requires all-party consent for private conversations under 720 ILCS 5/14-2. First-offense illegal recording is a Class 4 felony. Learn the rules, penalties, and exceptions.
11 min read
Illinois Restraining Order Laws (2026): How to Get an Order of Protection
How to get an Order of Protection in Illinois: who qualifies, how long it lasts (up to 2 years), costs (free), firearm rules, and violation penalties.
7 min read
Illinois Ring Doorbell Laws: What You Need to Know in 2026
Illinois Ring doorbell laws require all-party consent for audio recording. BIPA blocks facial recognition features. Learn penalties, HOA rules, and legal compliance.
10 min read
Illinois School Recording Laws: Student, Parent, and Teacher Rights (2026)
Illinois school recording laws govern surveillance cameras, student privacy, and classroom recording. Learn FERPA, BIPA, and eavesdropping rules for schools.
8 min read
Illinois Security Camera Laws: BIPA, Audio Rules, and Placement (2026)
Illinois security camera laws involve eavesdropping rules for audio, BIPA for facial recognition, and placement restrictions. Learn compliance requirements and penalties.
8 min read
Illinois Self-Defense Laws: Stand Your Ground & Castle Doctrine (2026)
Illinois has no stand-your-ground statute, but case law establishes no duty to retreat. Learn how 720 ILCS 5/7-1 and 5/7-2 govern self-defense and castle doctrine in Illinois.
7 min read
Illinois Sexting Laws: Legal Consequences and Penalties
Understand Illinois's sexting laws: criminal penalties for adults and minors, revenge porn laws, and defenses available under Illinois law.
6 min read
Illinois Slip and Fall Laws: Proving Premises Liability
Illinois slip and fall law: open-and-obvious bars claims, natural accumulation means no duty for ice/snow, 2-yr SOL (1 yr for government). Modified comparative fault 51% bar.
9 min read
Illinois Smart Glasses Recording Laws: Audio, BIPA & Consent
Illinois requires all-party consent for audio recording (720 ILCS 5/14-2) and BIPA written consent before any face scan. Smart glasses penalties reach Class 4 felony and $5,000 per BIPA violation.
12 min read
Illinois Squatters Rights and Adverse Possession Laws (2026)
Illinois adverse possession requires 20 years of open, hostile, continuous possession under 735 ILCS 5/13-101. A 7-year track applies with color of title and tax payment. Removal requires a court eviction under 735 ILCS 5/9.
7 min read
Illinois Statute of Limitations: Filing Deadlines by Case Type
Illinois statute of limitations for civil and criminal cases: deadlines for personal injury, contracts, felonies, and recent 2025 changes.
9 min read
Illinois Surveillance Camera Laws (2026 Guide)
Illinois surveillance camera laws: home security, workplace cameras, neighbor disputes, audio recording rules.
13 min read
Illinois Video Recording Laws: Consent, BIPA, and Surveillance Rules (2026)
Illinois video recording laws cover eavesdropping consent, BIPA biometric rules, and video voyeurism statutes. Learn what is legal and the penalties for violations.
9 min read
Illinois Voyeurism and Hidden Camera Laws: Penalties and BIPA Rules (2026)
Illinois voyeurism laws under 720 ILCS 5/26-4 criminalize hidden cameras in private areas. Learn penalties, BIPA implications, and what counts as illegal surveillance.
10 min read
Illinois Whistleblower Laws: Protections and How to Report
Learn about Illinois's whistleblower protections: who qualifies, how to report violations, retaliation protections, and available remedies.
6 min read
Illinois Window Tint Laws (2026): Legal VLT Limits
Illinois window tint law allows 50% front if back is 30%+, or 35% front if back is 35%+. SUVs may go any darkness in rear. Penalties, exemptions explained.
6 min read
Illinois Windshield Mounting Laws (2026 Guide)
Illinois windshield mounting laws: restrictions, penalties, and exemptions. Complete guide.
9 min read
Illinois Workers' Compensation Laws: Benefits, Deadlines, and Your Rights
Illinois workers' comp: no-fault benefits, 66 2/3% wage replacement, free doctor choice, 45-day report deadline, 3-year filing window. IWCC rules explained.
6 min read
Illinois Workplace Recording Laws: Employee Rights, BIPA, and Employer Rules (2026)
Illinois workplace recording laws require all-party consent under 720 ILCS 5/14-2. Learn BIPA rules for biometrics, employer monitoring limits, and employee recording rights.
10 min read